6 Ways to Insert or Type the Square Root Symbol in Word (√)

Insert the Square Root or Radical Symbol in Microsoft Word Documents

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 23, 2024

Applies to: Microsoft^® Word^® 2016, 2019, 2021 or 365 (Windows)

You can insert the square root or radical symbol (√) in a Word document using built-in Word commands or keyboard shortcuts. You can use an Alt code shortcut or create your own keyboard shortcut to insert the square root symbol.

Contents

In this article, we'll look at 6 ways to insert the square root symbol in Word:

1. Use the Insert Symbol command
2. Use an Alt code shortcut with a number sequence
3. Add and use a custom keyboard shortcut
4. Add and use an AutoCorrect entry (or use an existing entry)
5. Insert the symbol in an equation using Equation tools
6. Copy and paste

Do you want to learn more about Microsoft Word? Check out our online or in-person Word courses >

Recommended article: How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word (4 Ways)

1. Use Insert Symbol to insert the square root symbol

To insert the square root symbol using Insert Symbol in the Ribbon in Word:

1. Position the cursor in the Word document where you want to insert the square root symbol.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
6. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
7. Select Mathematical Operators from the Subset drop-down menu.
8. Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the square root symbol (√) and then click it.
9. Click Insert.
10. Click Close.

The Insert Symbol dialog box appears as follows (with √ selected):

2. Use an Alt code keyboard shortcut to insert the square root symbol

To insert the square root symbol in a Word document using Alt:

1. Position the cursor where you want to insert the square root symbol.
2. Press and hold Alt + 251 on the numeric keypad.

If the sequence doesn't work, press NumLock on the numeric keypad. If you don't have a numeric keypad on your laptop, you may be able to access number keys at the top of your keyboard in combination with another key (like Fn).

3. Use a custom keyboard shortcut to insert the square root symbol

If you insert the square root symbol frequently, you can create your own keyboard shortcut for the symbol in Word.

To create a keyboard shortcut for the square root symbol:

1. Position the cursor in a Word document where you want to insert the symbol.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
6. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
7. Select Mathematical Operators from the Subset drop-down menu.
8. Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the square root symbol (√) and then click it.
9. Click Shortcut. A dialog box appears.
10. Click in the box below Assign New Shortcut key.
11. Press the keys you want to assign (such as Ctrl + Alt + Q). Don't type any text, just press the keys. Be careful not to override a useful built-in shortcut.
12. Click Assign. Typically the location for these shortcuts is the Normal (or default) template.
13. Click Close twice.

Test the shortcut in your document by pressing the assigned keys.

The Customize Keyboard dialog box appears as follows:

Since these shortcuts are typically saved in the Normal template, when you exit Word, if you are prompted to save the Normal template, click Yes.

4. Use AutoCorrect to insert the square root symbol

You can also insert the square root symbol automatically using AutoCorrect (which is different from Math AutoCorrect).

To create an AutoCorrect entry for the square root symbol:

1. Position the cursor in a Word document where you want to insert the square root symbol.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
6. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
7. Select Mathematical Operators from the Subset drop-down menu.
8. Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the square root symbol (√) and then click it.
9. Click AutoCorrect. A dialog box appears.
10. In the Replace with box, enter the name of the entry (such as \isqr).
11. Click Add.
12. Click OK.
13. Click Close.
14. In the document, type the entry (such as \isqr) and then press the Spacebar.

The AutoCorrect dialog box appears as follows:

Since these shortcuts are typically saved in the Normal template, when you exit Word, if you are prompted to save the Normal template, click Yes.

If you insert an equation block in Word, you can insert symbols using Math AutoCorrect entries (note the Math AutoCorrect tab in the AutoCorrect Options dialog box). Simply type \sqrt and then press the Spacebar (this is the default Math Autocorrect entry for this symbol). This can be used outside of an equation block as well as long as Math AutoCorrect is set to Use Math AutoCorrect outside of math regions.

5. Insert the square root symbol in an equation block or placeholder

If you insert an equation in Word, an Equation tab will appear in the Ribbon when the equation block or placeholder is selected and you can simply click the square root symbol in the Ribbon to insert it into the equation.

To insert the square root symbol in an equation block or placeholder:

1. Click in the document where you want to enter an equation.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Equation to insert a new equation block or placeholder. Alternatively, type Alt + equal sign (=). You can also use an existing equation block or placeholder.
4. Click in the equation block or placeholder.
5. fClick the Equation tab in the Ribbon.
6. Click the More arrow on the bottom right of the Symbols gallery.
7. At the top of the Symbols gallery, select Basic Math from drop-down menu (typically, this is the default).
8. Click the square root symbol.

You can also type \sqrt and then press the Spacebar to use the default Math Autocorrect entry for this symbol.

6. Copy and paste to insert the square root symbol

To copy and paste the square root symbol:

1. Select the square root symbol in this article by dragging over it.
2. Press Ctrl + C to copy it.
3. Open the Word document and navigate to the location where you want to insert the symbol.
4. Press Ctrl + V to paste the square root symbol.

Final thoughts

If you are not typing the square root symbol often, the Insert Symbol method is simple and you won't need to remember any shortcuts.

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, JOIN our email list.

More resources

How to Generate Random Text in Word

How to Insert a Check Mark or Tick Mark in Word

How to Find and Replace in Word (and use Wildcards)

How to Show or Hide White Space in Word Documents

How to Insert or Type the Sigma Symbol in Word (Σ or σ)

Related courses

Microsoft Word: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft Word: Long Documents Master Class

Microsoft Word: Styles, Templates and Tables of Contents

Microsoft Word: Designing Dynamic Word Documents Using Fields

VIEW MORE COURSES >

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.

Copyright 2024 Avantix^® Learning

You may also like

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.

Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca